Lago on "Sabbatical"

AMESBURY, MA (NEWS CENTER) -- Scotty Lago is far from Olympic Glory. The personable half-pipe snowboarder missed making the American team after winning a bronze medal in Calgary. Lago told NEWS CENTER that he'll probably compete for just one more season.

"I want to start a whole new chapter," Lago told NEWS CENTER. "I want to be a professional hunter and I'm working on my hunting show right now."

Lago and his longtime girlfriend, Miss New Hampshire/USA Bridget Brunet paused over breakfast at The Morning Buzz in Amesbury, Massachusetts near his home in Seabrook, New Hampshire. Bridget will be competing in the Miss USA Pageant in Las Vegas this June.

Lago says it's tough to be on the outside looking in. He thought that the soft snow on the Sochi half-pipe definitely affected the American team, "Shaun is still the best. In fact, the Americans are still the best," he said succinctly. "Shuan" is Shaun White the all-time leader in the sport in terms of events won.

Lago says he using this time to try to rest his mind and his body. "It's like a sabbatical," he quipped while not totally masking his disappointment at not being at the Olympics. He plans to return to the World Cup tour for the final event of the season. He will then compete in one more X-Games.

Lago was the 2004 World Quarterpipe Champion. He has also won gold at the X-Games where he has been a multiple medal winner.